Cover for tops of cans and the like



Jan. 11, 1938. 4 c DAVIS 2,105,027

COVER FOR TOPS OF CANS AND THE LIKE Filed July 9, 1936 Patented .Fan. ii, 193% PATENT OFFE 2 Claims.

My invention relates to cover means adaptable for use with the tops of containers, such for one example as beer cans. One purpose is the provision of absorptive means for absorbing the liquid which may escape from the neck of a container when it is opened or when it is poured.

Another purpose is the provision of a cover which may be employed with or added to a can or other container which, at a point particularly perceptible to the eye, can carry advertising devices, slogans, information, directions or the like.

Another purpose is the provision of a readily applicable cover of the type herein described which may be readily applied to a can or other container, either before or after the filling or packing of the container.

Other objects will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawing wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of a known type of container, with my cover in place and the cap on the container;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 with the cap removed and with parts broken away;

Figure 3 is a plan view of one of my covers, illustrating the application of printing or advertising material thereto;

Figure 4 is a side elevation of one of the covers before it is positioned on the container; and

Figure 5 is a plan view of a variant form of cover.

Like parts are indicated 'by like symbols throughout the specification and drawing.

.Referring to the particular type of container herein shown, but not intending to limit the use of my cover to this container, l indicates a cylindrical can body provided with an upwardly extending top 2 which is crimped over the end of the body I as at 3, forming a circumferential gutter 4. The portion 2 has a neck 5 at its upper end and an outward extension or flange 6, completed by an inwardly turned portion I. 8 indi- 45 cates the usual cap or seal which may be applied to the container in any suitable manner, and does not of itself form part of the present invention.

Ill indicates one of my covers which is provided with a central aperture II and slots I2 50 herein shown as radial. The cover may be provided with a circumferential edge l3 concentric with the aperture II, or it may be formed in any other suitable way but I illustrate, for example in Figure 5, a cover having a scalloped edge I. 55 I5 indicates any suitable design, printing, advertising, or the like, which may be applied to the cover. a

It will be understood that my cover is adapted for use with a wide variety of containers. It may be employed, for example, on cans of the type 5 shown in the drawing in which the sloped upper portion 2 is surrounded at its lower edge by a gutter 4. ()ne of my covers iii may be slipped over the portion 2, with the neck 6 extending through the aperture ll.

Preferably the material of which the cover is formed is sufiiciently resilient to have a locking efi'ect, the tongues l6 formed between adjacent slots l2 tending to move back into the plane of the body portion l0. Thus the edges defined by 15 the aperture ll tend to lock themselves beneath the neck 6 or the cap 8, preventing unintended displacement of the member ID. The tongues IS in eiiect grip the neck and hold the cover or bib" firmly in place.

The member I 0, if made of liquid absorbent material, will absorb or blot the slight amounts of liquid which escape from the neck of the container when the container is opened or when it is tilted for pouring, or for direct drinking from the neck. In such case, the member ID prevents spilling the liquid. When it is not used, with cans of the type shown in the drawing herein, the gutter 4 may have a perceptible amount of liquid in it and, as in the use of a beer can, if 30 the user drinks directly from the can, the beer may be spilled down his shirt front.

The body l0 may be of any desired thickness. Material of the general thickness and type of ordinary blotting paper is one practical substance to use.

It is highly advantageous to employ an attachment of this kind for advertising purposes. For instance, they may be printed with the name or insignia or slogan of some organization, or of the town, or with any other material appropriate for or of interest to the people likely to use the can in question. Under some circumstances it may be advantageous to apply these bibs on the containers when they are being packed, but a prime use is the supplying of these bibs to the particular organizations, inns, or locations desiring to use them. For example, a hotel or tavern may be supplied with bibs containing its name. They may be made for special picnics, for gatherings of particular orders or societies, or for conventions.

The bibf may be made of any suitable material, absorbent or otherwise, and it may be molded or otherwise formed to conform to the part of the can to which it is opposed. The outer edge may conform to the rim, or it may be spaced inwardly therefrom, or it may be formed irregularly as by scalloping, as shown at It in Figure 5. What is essential is that it shall be locked about the neck of the container with which it is used and that some means, for example the tongues and slots shown, shall be provided for permitting it to he slipped over the neck and for holding it in relation to the container aiter it has been slipped over the neck or cup.

It will be realized that, whereas I have described and illustrated a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes may be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention. I therefore wish my description and drawing to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative or diagrammatic, rather than as limiting me to the precise showing of the description and drawing.

' For example, it will be understood that whereas one of these covers or bibs" may be sufiicient, and may be employed of varying thickness, two or more may be employed simultaneously.

It will be understood that where I employ the term slit or slits", I wish it to be interpreted as of suflicient breadth to coverany openings communicating into the central aperture, one

or more, whereby the cover member as a whole may be fitted over the container neck and locked in position in relation thereto.

I claim:

1. In combination with a container for liquids having a neck, and a gutter surrounding said neck, a liquid absorbing member substantially the entire area of which conforms generally to the contour of the upper portion of the container adjacent said neck, apertured to permit the passage of the neck therethrough, and means for holding it in position in relation'to said container, the outer edge of said member extending into said gutter.

2. In combination with a container for liquids having a neck and a gutter surrounding said neck and an intervening generally conic connecting portion between said gutter and neck, a liquid absorbing member in the form of a truncated centrally apertured cone substantially the entire area of which conforms generally to the contour of the upper surface of the container adjacent said neck, the lower edge of which extends into said gutter, the upper edge thereof GEO. C. DAVIS. 

